JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 1, 2022 … · 2021. 3. 17. · EXAMINATION CONTENT...

13
EXAMINATION CONTENT SPECIFICATIONS ARRT BOARD APPROVED: JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 1, 2022 1 COPYRIGHT © 2021 BY THE AMERICAN REGISTRY OF RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGISTS ® ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR PART IS NOT PERMITTED WITHOUT THE WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ARRT. Radiography The purpose of the exam is to assess the knowledge and cognitive skills underlying the intelligent performance of the tasks typically required of the staff technologist at entry into the profession. The tasks typically performed were determined by administering a comprehensive practice analysis survey to a nationwide sample of radiographers. 1 An advisory committee then determined the knowledge and cognitive skills needed to perform the tasks on the task inventory and these are organized into the content categories within this document. Every content category can be linked to one or more tasks on the task inventory. The document is used to develop the examination. The Task Inventory for Radiography may be found on the ARRT’s website (www.arrt.org). The ARRT avoids content when there are multiple resources with conflicting perspectives. Educational programs accredited by a mechanism acceptable to ARRT offer education and experience beyond the minimum requirements specified in the content specifications and clinical competency requirements documents. This document is not intended to serve as a curriculum guide. Although ARRT programs for certification and registration and educational programs may have related purposes, their functions are clearly different. Educational programs are generally broader in scope and address the subject matter that is included in these content specifications, but do not limit themselves to only this content. The table below presents the major content categories and subcategories covered on the examination. The number of test questions in each category are listed in bold and the number of test questions in each subcategory in parentheses. Specific topics within each category are addressed in the content outline, which makes up the remaining pages of this document. Content Category Number of Scored Questions 2 Patient Care 33 Patient Interactions and Management (33) Safety 50 Radiation Physics and Radiobiology 3 (21) Radiation Protection (29) Image Production 51 Image Acquisition and Evaluation (26) Equipment Operation and Quality Assurance (25) Procedures 66 Head, Spine and Pelvis Procedures (18) Thorax and Abdomen Procedures (20) Extremity Procedures (28) Total 200 1 A special debt of gratitude is due to the hundreds of professionals participating in this project as committee members, survey respondents, and reviewers. 2 Each exam includes an additional 30 unscored (pilot) questions. 3 SI units are the primary (principle) units of radiation measurement used on the radiography examination.

Transcript of JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 1, 2022 … · 2021. 3. 17. · EXAMINATION CONTENT...

Page 1: JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 1, 2022 … · 2021. 3. 17. · EXAMINATION CONTENT SPECIFICATIONS ARRT BOARD APPROVED: JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 1, 2022

EXAMINATION CONTENT SPECIFICATIONS

ARRT BOARD APPROVED: JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 1, 2022

1 COPYRIGHT© 2021 BY THE AMERICAN REGISTRY OF RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGISTS® ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR PART IS NOT PERMITTED WITHOUT THE WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ARRT.

Radiography The purpose of the exam is to assess the knowledge and cognitive skills underlying the intelligent performance of the tasks typically required of the staff technologist at entry into the profession. The tasks typically performed were determined by administering a comprehensive practice analysis survey to a nationwide sample of radiographers.1 An advisory committee then determined the knowledge and cognitive skills needed to perform the tasks on the task inventory and these are organized into the content categories within this document. Every content category can be linked to one or more tasks on the task inventory. The document is used to develop the examination. The Task Inventory for Radiography may be found on the ARRT’s website (www.arrt.org). The ARRT avoids content when there are multiple resources with conflicting perspectives. Educational programs accredited by a mechanism acceptable to ARRT offer education and experience beyond the minimum requirements specified in the content specifications and clinical competency requirements documents. This document is not intended to serve as a curriculum guide. Although ARRT programs for certification and registration and educational programs may have related purposes, their functions are clearly different. Educational programs are generally broader in scope and address the subject matter that is included in these content specifications, but do not limit themselves to only this content. The table below presents the major content categories and subcategories covered on the examination. The number of test questions in each category are listed in bold and the number of test questions in each subcategory in parentheses. Specific topics within each category are addressed in the content outline, which makes up the remaining pages of this document.

Content Category Number of Scored Questions2 Patient Care 33

Patient Interactions and Management (33) Safety 50

Radiation Physics and Radiobiology3 (21) Radiation Protection (29)

Image Production 51 Image Acquisition and Evaluation (26) Equipment Operation and Quality Assurance (25)

Procedures 66 Head, Spine and Pelvis Procedures (18) Thorax and Abdomen Procedures (20) Extremity Procedures (28)

Total 200 1 A special debt of gratitude is due to the hundreds of professionals participating in this project as committee

members, survey respondents, and reviewers. 2 Each exam includes an additional 30 unscored (pilot) questions. 3 SI units are the primary (principle) units of radiation measurement used on the radiography examination.

Page 2: JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 1, 2022 … · 2021. 3. 17. · EXAMINATION CONTENT SPECIFICATIONS ARRT BOARD APPROVED: JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 1, 2022

RADIOGRAPHY CONTENT OUTLINE

ARRT BOARD APPROVED: JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 2022

2

Patient Care

1. Patient Interactions and Management b. pre- and post-examination instructions (e.g., preparation, diet, medications and discharge instructions)

A. Ethical and Legal Aspects 1. patients’ rights

c. respond to inquiries about other imaging modalities (e.g., dose differences, types of radiation, patient preps)

a. consent (*e.g., informed, oral, implied) b. confidentiality (HIPAA) c. American Hospital Association (AHA)

Patient Care Partnership (Patients’ Bill of Rights)

C. Ergonomics and Monitoring 1. body mechanics (e.g., balance, alignment,

movement) 1. privacy a. patient transfer techniques 2. extent of care (e.g., DNR) b. safe patient handling devices (e.g.,

transfer board, Hoyer lift, gait belt) 3. access to information 4. living will, health care proxy,

advanced directives 2. assisting patients with medical equipment a. infusion catheters and pumps 5. research participation b. oxygen delivery systems 2. legal issues c. other (e.g., nasogastric tubes, urinary

catheters, tracheostomy tubes) a. verification (e.g., patient identification,

compare order to clinical indication) 3. patient monitoring and documentation b. common terminology

(e.g., battery, negligence, malpractice, beneficence)

a. vital signs b. physical signs and symptoms (e.g.,

motor control, severity of injury) c. legal doctrines (e.g., respondeat superior, res ipsa loquitur) c. fall prevention

D. Medical Emergencies d. restraints versus positioning aids used to eliminate motion artifact 1. non-contrast allergic reactions (e.g., latex)

2. cardiac/respiratory arrest (e.g., CPR, AED)

e. manipulation of electronic data (e.g., exposure indicator, processing algorithm, brightness and contrast, cropping or masking off anatomy)

3. physical injury or trauma 4. other medical disorders

(e.g., seizures, diabetic reactions) f. documentation (e.g., changes to order, medical event)

*The abbreviation “e.g.,” is used to indicate that examples are listed in parentheses, but that it is not a complete list of all possibilities.

3. ARRT Standards of Ethics B. Interpersonal Communication

(Patient Care continues on the following page.) 1. modes of communication a. verbal/written b. nonverbal (e.g., eye contact, touching)

2. challenges in communication a. interactions with others

1. language barriers 2. cultural and social factors 3. physical, sensory, or cognitive

impairments 4. age 5. emotional status, acceptance of

condition (e.g., stage of grief) b. explanation of medical terms c. strategies to improve understanding

3. patient education a. explanation of current procedure (e.g.,

purpose, length of time, radiation dose)

Page 3: JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 1, 2022 … · 2021. 3. 17. · EXAMINATION CONTENT SPECIFICATIONS ARRT BOARD APPROVED: JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 1, 2022

RADIOGRAPHY CONTENT OUTLINE

ARRT BOARD APPROVED: JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 2022

3

Patient Care (continued)

E. Infection Control G. Pharmacology 1. chain of infection (cycle of infection) 1. patient history

a. pathogen a. medication reconciliation (current medications) b. reservoir

c. portal of exit b. premedications d. mode of transmission c. contraindications

1. direct d. scheduling and sequencing examinations a. droplet

b. direct contact 2. administration 2. indirect a. routes (e.g., IV, oral)

a. airborne b. supplies (e.g., enema kits, needles) b. vehicle borne (fomite) c. procedural technique (e.g.,

venipuncture) c. vector borne (mechanical or biological) d. contrast media dose calculation

e. portal of entry 3. contrast media types and properties (e.g., iodinated, water soluble, barium, ionic versus non-ionic)

f. susceptible host 2. asepsis

a. equipment disinfection 4. appropriateness of contrast media to examination b. equipment sterilization

c. medical aseptic technique a. patient condition (e.g., perforated bowel) d. sterile technique

3. CDC Standard Precautions b. patient age and weight a. hand hygiene c. laboratory values

(e.g., BUN, creatinine, eGFR) b. use of personal protective equipment (e.g., gloves, gowns, masks)

5. complications/reactions a. local effects

(e.g., extravasation/infiltration, phlebitis)

c. safe handling of contaminated equipment/surfaces

d. disposal of contaminated materials b. systemic effects 1. linens 1. mild 2. needles 2. moderate 3. patient supplies 3. severe 4. blood and body fluids c. emergency medications

e. safe injection practices d. radiographer’s response and documentation 4. transmission-based precautions

a. contact b. droplet c. airborne

5. additional precautions a. neutropenic precautions (reverse

isolation) b. healthcare-associated

(nosocomial) infections F. Handling and Disposal of Toxic or

Hazardous Material 1. types of materials

a. chemicals b. chemotherapy

2. safety data sheet (material safety data sheet)

Page 4: JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 1, 2022 … · 2021. 3. 17. · EXAMINATION CONTENT SPECIFICATIONS ARRT BOARD APPROVED: JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 1, 2022

RADIOGRAPHY CONTENT OUTLINE

ARRT BOARD APPROVED: JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 2022

4

Safety 1. Radiation Physics and Radiobiology

B. Biological Effects of Radiation A. Principles of Radiation Physics 1. SI units of measurement (NCRP #160) 1. x-ray production

a. absorbed dose (Gy) a. source of free electrons (e.g., thermionic emission) b. dose equivalent (Sv)

c. exposure (C/kg) b. acceleration of electrons d. effective dose (Sv) c. focusing of electrons e. air kerma (Gy) d. deceleration of electrons

2. radiosensitivity 2. target interactions a. dose-response relationships a. bremsstrahlung b. relative tissue radiosensitivities

(e.g., LET, RBE) b. characteristic

3. x-ray beam c. cell survival and recovery (LD50) a. frequency and wavelength d. oxygen effect b. beam characteristics

3. somatic effects 1. quality a. cells 2. quantity b. tissue

(e.g., eye, thyroid, breast, skin, marrow, gonad)

3. primary versus remnant (exit) c. inverse square law d. fundamental properties

(e.g., travel in straight lines, ionize matter)

c. embryo and fetus d. carcinogenesis e. early versus late or acute versus

chronic 4. photon interactions with matter

a. photoelectric f. deterministic (tissue reactions)

versus stochastic b. Compton c. coherent (classical)

g. short-term versus long-term exposure

d. attenuation by various tissues 1. thickness of body part

h. acute radiation syndromes 2. type of tissue (atomic number) 1. hemopoietic 2. gastrointestinal (GI) 3. central nervous system (CNS)

(Safety continues on the following page.)

Page 5: JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 1, 2022 … · 2021. 3. 17. · EXAMINATION CONTENT SPECIFICATIONS ARRT BOARD APPROVED: JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 1, 2022

RADIOGRAPHY CONTENT OUTLINE

ARRT BOARD APPROVED: JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 2022

5

Safety (continued) 2. Radiation Protection

A. Minimizing Patient Exposure B. Personnel Protection (ALARA)* 1. exposure factors 1. sources of radiation exposure

a. kVp a. primary x-ray beam b. mAs b. secondary radiation c. automatic exposure control (AEC) 1. scatter

2. beam restriction 2. leakage a. purpose of primary beam restriction c. patient as source b. types (e.g., collimators) 2. basic methods of protection

3. patient considerations a. time a. positioning b. distance b. communication c. shielding c. pediatric 3. protective devices d. morbid obesity a. types (e.g., aprons, barriers)

4. filtration b. attenuation properties a. effect on skin and organ exposure c. minimum lead equivalent

(NCRP #102) b. effect on average beam energy c. NCRP recommendations

(NCRP #102, minimum filtration in useful beam)

4. special considerations a. mobile units b. fluoroscopy

5. radiographic dose documentation 1. protective drapes 6. image receptors 2. protective Bucky slot cover 7. grids 3. cumulative timer 8. fluoroscopy 4. remote-controlled fluoroscopy

a. pulsed c. guidelines for fluoroscopy and mobile units (NCRP #102, 21 CFR) b. exposure factors

c. grids 1. fluoroscopy exposure rates (normal and high-level control) d. positioning

e. fluoroscopy time 2. exposure switch guidelines f. automatic brightness control (ABC)

or automatic exposure rate control (AERC)

5. radiation exposure and monitoring a. dosimeters

1. types g. receptor positioning 2. proper use h. magnification mode b. NCRP recommendations for

personnel monitoring (NCRP #116) i. air kerma display j. last image hold 1. occupational exposure k. dose or time documentation 2. public exposure l. minimum source-to-skin

distance (21 CFR) 3. embryo/fetus exposure 4. dose equivalent limits

9. dose area product (DAP) meter 5. evaluation and maintenance of personnel dosimetry records

6. handling and disposal of radioactive material

* (August 24, 2016) Note: Although it is the radiographer’s

responsibility to apply radiation protection principles to minimize bioeffects for both patients and personnel, the ALARA concept is specific to personnel protection and is listed only for that section.

Page 6: JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 1, 2022 … · 2021. 3. 17. · EXAMINATION CONTENT SPECIFICATIONS ARRT BOARD APPROVED: JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 1, 2022

RADIOGRAPHY CONTENT OUTLINE

ARRT® BOARD APPROVED: JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 1, 2022

6

Image Production 1. Image Acquisition and Evaluation

A. Factors Affecting Radiographic Quality (X indicates topics covered on the examination.)

1.

Receptor Exposure

2. Spatial

Resolution

3. Distortion

a. mAs X b. kVp X c. OID X X d. SID X X X e. focal spot size X f. grids* X g. tube filtration X h. beam restriction X i. motion X j. anode heel effect X k. patient factors (size, pathology) X X X l. angle (tube, part, or receptor) X X

* Includes conversion factors for grids

B. Technique Charts d. matrix size 1. anatomically programmed technique e. modulation transfer function (MTF) 2. fixed versus variable kVp 2. contrast resolution 3. special considerations a. bit depth

a. casts b. detective quantum efficiency (DQE) b. pathologic factors c. grids c. age (e.g., pediatric, geriatric) 3. image signal d. body mass index (BMI) a. dynamic range e. contrast media b. quantum noise (quantum mottle) f. grids c. signal to noise ratio (SNR) g. OID E. Image Identification

C. Automatic Exposure Control (AEC) 1. methods (e.g., radiographic, electronic) 1. effects of changing exposure factors

on radiographic quality 2. legal considerations (e.g., patient data, examination data) 2. detector selection

3. anatomic alignment F. Criteria for Image Evaluation 4. exposure adjustment

(e.g., density, +1 or –1) 1. exposure indicator 2. quantum noise (quantum mottle)

D. Digital Imaging Characteristics 3. gross exposure error (e.g., loss of contrast, saturation) 1. spatial resolution

a. pixel characteristics (e.g., size, pitch)

4. contrast 5. spatial resolution

b. detector element (DEL) (e.g., size, pitch, fill factor)

6. distortion (e.g., size, shape) 7. identification markers

(e.g., anatomical side, patient, date) CCD, CMOS (e.g., size, pitch) c. sampling frequency (CR) 8. image artifacts

9. radiation fog (CR)

Page 7: JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 1, 2022 … · 2021. 3. 17. · EXAMINATION CONTENT SPECIFICATIONS ARRT BOARD APPROVED: JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 1, 2022

RADIOGRAPHY CONTENT OUTLINE

ARRT® BOARD APPROVED: JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 1, 2022

7

Image Production (continued) 4. accessories a. stationary grids b. Bucky assembly 2. Equipment Operation and

Quality Assurance c. compensating filters B. Image Processing and Display

A. Imaging Equipment 1. raw data (pre-processing) 1. x-ray generator, transformers and

rectification system a. analog-to-digital converter (ADC) b. quantization

a. basic principles c. corrections (e.g., rescaling, flat fielding, dead pixel correction) b. phase, pulse and frequency

c. tube loading d. histogram 2. components of radiographic unit

(fixed or mobile) 2. corrected data for processing

a. grayscale a. operating console b. edge enhancement b. x-ray tube construction c. equalization

1. electron source d. smoothing 2. target materials 3. data for display 3. induction motor a. values of interest (VOI) 4. filtration b. look-up table (LUT)

c. automatic exposure control (AEC) 4. post-processing 1. radiation detectors a. brightness 2. back-up timer b. contrast 3. exposure adjustment

(e.g., density, +1 or -1) c. region of interest (ROI) d. electronic cropping or masking

4. minimum response time e. stitching d. manual exposure controls 5. display monitors e. image receptors a. viewing conditions (e.g., viewing

angle, ambient lighting) 1. computed radiography (CR) a. plate (e.g., photo-stimulable

phosphor (PSP)) b. spatial resolution (e.g., pixel size,

pixel pitch) b. plate reader c. brightness and contrast

2. digital radiography (DR) 6. imaging informatics a. direct conversion a. information systems, (e.g., HIS,

RIS, EMR, EHR) b. indirect conversion 1. amorphous silicon (a-Si) b. networking 2. charge coupled device

(CCD) 1. PACS 2. DICOM

3. complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS)

c. downtime procedures

f. beam restriction 3. components of fluoroscopic unit

(fixed or mobile) a. image receptors

1. image intensifier 2. flat panel

b. viewing systems c. recording systems d. automatic brightness control (ABC)

or automatic exposure rate control (AERC)

e. magnification mode f. table

Page 8: JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 1, 2022 … · 2021. 3. 17. · EXAMINATION CONTENT SPECIFICATIONS ARRT BOARD APPROVED: JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 1, 2022

RADIOGRAPHY CONTENT OUTLINE

ARRT® BOARD APPROVED: JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 1, 2022

8

Image Production (continued) C. Quality Control of Imaging Equipment

and Accessories 1. beam restriction

a. light field to radiation field alignment

b. central ray alignment 2. recognition and reporting of

malfunctions 3. digital imaging receptor systems

a. maintenance (e.g., detector calibration, plate reader calibration)

b. QC tests (e.g., erasure thoroughness, plate uniformity, spatial resolution)

c. display monitor quality assurance (e.g., grayscale standard display function, luminance)

4. shielding accessories (e.g., testing lead apron, gloves)

Page 9: JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 1, 2022 … · 2021. 3. 17. · EXAMINATION CONTENT SPECIFICATIONS ARRT BOARD APPROVED: JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 1, 2022

RADIOGRAPHY CONTENT OUTLINE

ARRT® BOARD APPROVED: JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 1, 2022

9

Procedures This section addresses imaging procedures for the anatomic regions listed below. Questions will cover the following topics:

1. Positioning (e.g., topographic landmarks, body positions, path of central ray, positioning aids, respiration).

2. Anatomy (e.g., including physiology, basic pathology, related medical terminology). 3. Procedure adaptation (e.g., body habitus, body mass index, trauma, pathology, age, limited

mobility). 4. Evaluation of displayed anatomical structures (e.g., patient positioning, tube-part-image receptor

alignment).

The specific radiographic positions and projections within each anatomic region that may be covered on the examination are listed in Attachment A. A guide to positioning terminology appears in Attachment B. 1. Head, Spine and Pelvis Procedures C. GU Studies

1. cystography A. Head 2. cystourethrography 1. skull 3. intravenous urography 2. facial bones 4. retrograde urography 3. mandible 5. hysterosalpingography 4. temporomandibular joints

3. Extremity Procedures 5. nasal bones 6. orbits A. Upper Extremities 7. paranasal sinuses 1. fingers

B. Spine and Pelvis 2. hand 1. cervical spine 3. wrist 2. thoracic spine 4. forearm 3. scoliosis series 5. elbow 4. lumbar spine 6. humerus 5. sacrum and coccyx 7. shoulder 6. myelography 8. scapula 7. sacroiliac joints 9. clavicle 8. pelvis and hip 10. acromioclavicular joints

2. Thorax and Abdomen Procedures B. Lower Extremities 1. toes A. Thorax 2. foot 1. chest 3. calcaneus 2. ribs 4. ankle 3. sternum 5. tibia/fibula 4. soft tissue neck 6. knee/patella 5. sternoclavicular joints 7. femur B. Abdomen and GI Studies 8. long bone measurement 1. abdomen

C. Other 2. esophagus 1. bone age 3. swallowing dysfunction study 2. bone survey (e.g., metastatic,

non-accidental trauma) 4. upper GI series, single or double contrast 5. small bowel series

3. arthrography 6. contrast enema, single or double contrast 7. surgical cholangiography

8. ERCP

Page 10: JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 1, 2022 … · 2021. 3. 17. · EXAMINATION CONTENT SPECIFICATIONS ARRT BOARD APPROVED: JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 1, 2022

RADIOGRAPHY CONTENT OUTLINE

ARRT® BOARD APPROVED: JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 1, 2022

10

Attachment A Radiographic Positions and Projections

1. Head, Spine and Pelvis h. lateral flexion and extension

3. Sternum A. Head a. lateral

1. Skull i. AP dens (Fuchs) b. RAO a. AP axial (Towne) 2. Thoracic Spine 4. Soft Tissue Neck b. lateral a. AP a. AP upper airway c. PA axial (Caldwell) b. lateral, breathing b. lateral upper airway d. PA c. lateral, expiration 5. Sternoclavicular joints e. submentovertex (full basal) 3. Scoliosis Series a. PA f. trauma cross-table

(horizontal beam) lateral a. AP or PA b. LAO and RAO b. lateral B. Abdomen and GI Studies

g. trauma AP axial (reverse Caldwell)

4. Lumbar Spine 1. Abdomen a. AP a. AP supine

h. trauma AP b. PA b. AP upright i. trauma AP axial (Towne) c. lateral c. lateral decubitus

d. L5-S1 lateral spot d. dorsal decubitus 2. Facial Bones e. posterior oblique 2. Esophagus a. lateral f. anterior oblique a. RAO b. parietoacanthial (Waters) g. AP axial L5-S1 b. left lateral c. PA axial (Caldwell) h. AP right and left bending c. AP d. modified parietoacanthial

(modified Waters) i. lateral flexion and extension

d. PA e. LAO 3. Mandible

5. Sacrum and Coccyx 3. Swallowing Dysfunction Study a. axiolateral oblique a. AP axial sacrum 4. Upper GI series* b. PA b. AP axial coccyx a. AP or PA scout c. AP axial (Towne) c. lateral sacrum and coccyx,

combined b. RAO d. PA axial c. PA e. PA (modified Waters)

d. lateral sacrum or coccyx, separate

d. right lateral f. submentovertex (full basal) e. LPO 4. Temporomandibular Joints

6. Myelography f. AP a. axiolateral oblique (modified Law) 7. Sacroiliac Joints 5. Small Bowel Series

a. AP axial a. PA scout b. axiolateral (modified Schuller) b. posterior oblique b. PA (follow through)

c. anterior oblique c. ileocecal spots c. AP axial (modified Towne) 8. Pelvis and Hip 6. Contrast Enema* 5. Nasal Bones

a. AP hip only a. left lateral rectum a. parietoacanthial (Waters) b. cross-table (horizontal

beam) lateral hip b. left lateral decubitus b. lateral c. right lateral decubitus c. PA axial (Caldwell)

c. unilateral frog-leg, non-trauma

d. LPO and RPO 6. Orbits e. PA a. parietoacanthial (Waters)

d. axiolateral inferosuperior, trauma (Clements-Nakayama)

f. RAO and LAO b. lateral g. AP axial (sigmoid) c. PA axial (Caldwell) h. PA axial (sigmoid) d. modified parietoacanthial

(modified Waters) e. AP pelvis i. PA or AP post-evacuation f. AP pelvis, bilateral frog-leg 7. Surgical Cholangiography 7. Paranasal Sinuses g. AP pelvis, axial anterior

pelvic bones (inlet, outlet) 8. ERCP a. lateral, horizontal beam

b. PA axial (Caldwell), horizontal beam h. posterior oblique pelvis,

acetabulum (Judet) *single or double contrast

c. parietoacanthial (Waters), horizontal beam 2. Thorax and Abdomen

A. Thorax d. submentovertex (full basal), horizontal beam 1. Chest

a. PA or AP upright B. Spine and Pelvis b. lateral upright 1. Cervical Spine c. AP lordotic a. AP axial d. AP supine b. AP open mouth e. lateral decubitus c. lateral

2. Ribs d. cross-table (horizontal beam) lateral a. AP and PA, above and

below diaphragm e. PA axial obliques b. anterior and posterior

obliques f. AP axial obliques g. lateral swimmers

Page 11: JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 1, 2022 … · 2021. 3. 17. · EXAMINATION CONTENT SPECIFICATIONS ARRT BOARD APPROVED: JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 1, 2022

RADIOGRAPHY CONTENT OUTLINE

ARRT® BOARD APPROVED: JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 1, 2022

11

C. GU Studies 7. Shoulder C. Other 1. Cystography a. AP internal and external

rotation 1. Bone Age

a. AP 2. Bone Survey b. LPO and RPO b. inferosuperior axial

(Lawrence) 3. Arthrography

c. lateral d. AP axial c. posterior oblique (Grashey)

2. Cystourethrography d. AP neutral a. AP voiding

cystourethrogram female e. PA oblique (scapular Y) f. supraspinatus outlet (Neer)

b. RPO voiding cystourethrogram male

8. Scapula a. AP

3. Intravenous Urography b. lateral a. AP, scout, and series 9. Clavicle b. RPO and LPO a. AP or PA c. post-void b. AP axial

4. Retrograde Urography c. PA axial a. AP scout 10. Acromioclavicular Joints – AP

bilateral with and without weights

b. AP pyelogram c. AP ureterogram

5. Hysterosalpingography B. Lower Extremities 3. Extremities 1. Toes

A. Upper Extremities a. AP, entire forefoot I. Fingers b. AP or AP axial toe

a. PA entire hand c. oblique toe b. PA finger only d. lateral toe c. lateral e. sesamoids, tangential d. medial and/or lateral

oblique 2. Foot

a. AP axial e. AP thumb b. medial oblique f. medial oblique thumb c. lateral oblique g. lateral thumb d. lateral

2. Hand e. AP axial weight bearing a. PA f. lateral weight bearing b. lateral 3. Calcaneus c. lateral oblique a. lateral

3. Wrist b. plantodorsal, axial a. PA c. dorsoplantar, axial b. lateral oblique 4. Ankle c. lateral a. AP d. PA–ulnar deviation b. mortise e. PA axial (Stecher) c. lateral f. tangential carpal canal

(Gaynor-Hart) d. medial oblique e. AP stress

4. Forearm f. AP weight bearing a. AP g. lateral weight bearing b. lateral 5. Tibia/Fibula

5. Elbow a. AP a. AP b. lateral b. lateral 6. Knee/patella c. lateral oblique a. AP d. medial oblique b. lateral e. AP partial flexion c. AP weight bearing f. trauma axial laterals

(Coyle) d. lateral oblique e. medial oblique

6. Humerus f. PA axial–intercondylar fossa (Holmblad) a. AP

b. lateral g. PA axial–intercondylar fossa (Camp Coventry) c. neutral

d. transthoracic lateral h. AP axial–intercondylar fossa (Béclère)

i. PA patella j. tangential (Merchant) k. tangential (Settegast)

7. Femur a. AP b. lateral

8. Long Bone Measurement

Page 12: JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 1, 2022 … · 2021. 3. 17. · EXAMINATION CONTENT SPECIFICATIONS ARRT BOARD APPROVED: JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 1, 2022

RADIOGRAPHY CONTENT OUTLINE

ARRT® BOARD APPROVED: JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 1, 2022

12

Attachment B Standard Terminology

for Positioning and Projection Radiographic View: Describes the body part as seen by the image receptor. Restricted to the

discussion of a radiograph or image. Radiographic Position: Refers to a specific body position, such as supine, prone, recumbent, erect or

Trendelenburg. Restricted to the discussion of the patient’s physical position. Radiographic Projection: Restricted to the discussion of the path of the central ray. POSITIONING TERMINOLOGY

A. Lying Down

1. supine − lying on the back 2. prone − lying face downward 3. decubitus − lying down with a horizontal x-ray beam 4. recumbent − lying down in any position

B. Erect or Upright

1. anterior position − facing the image receptor 2. posterior position − facing the radiographic tube

C. Either Upright or Recumbent

1. oblique torso positions

a. anterior oblique (facing the image receptor)

i. left anterior oblique (LAO) body rotated with the left anterior portion closest to the image receptor

ii. right anterior oblique (RAO) body rotated with the right anterior portion closest to the image receptor

b. posterior oblique (facing the radiographic tube)

i. left posterior oblique (LPO) body rotated with the left posterior portion closest to the image receptor

ii. right posterior oblique (RPO) body rotated with the right posterior portion closest to the image receptor

2. oblique extremity positions

a. lateral (external) rotation from either prone or supine, outward rotation of the extremity

b. medial (internal) rotation from either prone or supine, inward rotation of the extremity

Page 13: JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 1, 2022 … · 2021. 3. 17. · EXAMINATION CONTENT SPECIFICATIONS ARRT BOARD APPROVED: JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 1, 2022

RADIOGRAPHY CONTENT OUTLINE

ARRT® BOARD APPROVED: JANUARY 2021 IMPLEMENTATION DATE: JANUARY 1, 2022

13 V 2021.02.25

Anteroposterior Projection Posteroanterior Projection

Right Lateral Position Left Lateral Position

Left Posterior Oblique Position Right Posterior Oblique Position

Left Anterior Oblique Position Right Anterior Oblique Position